C.C. Smith

Each semester, Leon opens its classrooms to interns, usually from Florida State University.

This semester is no exception, as eight new interns are on board.

After a two-week period of observation, the interns begin to take over their assigned classes and teach the curriculum.

The teachers with interns this semester are Martha Towey, Joy Becker, Ed Prasse, Lewis Tillman, Susan David, Eileen Schaap, Judy Arthur and Janice Ouimet. These teachers must have taken a class to make them eligible to supervise an intern.

The process of applying to be an intern starts with a five-page document evaluating personal statements. They list the counties in which they would like to intern, and their professor selects the school.

Leon then sends the professor a list of teachers willing to accept an intern, and the professor sends the teachers a short biography of the intern. After this process the teacher can then choose to accept or deny the intern.

Leon’s faculty enjoys supporting the intern program, according to Billy Epting, the assistant principal of curriculum.

“The best way to tell if someone is a good teacher is to watch them in the classroom,” Epting said.

Being an intern is a 12-credit class that has a minimum of 10 weeks. The interns are evaluated weekly by their teacher and given a pass or fail grade at the end of their program.

“It is a process I’m looking forward to and enjoying. It is very different from the college setting,” said Seth Federman, Towey’s intern.

Hollie Hirsh and Towey are teachers who both interned at Leon during their college careers.

“I don’t know if I would be a teacher now if I hadn’t had such a supportive and positive experience,” Towey said.